OFFICIAL OPENING WELLINGTON CENTRE AT LOWER HUTT

Hutt News, Volume 13, Issue 22, 8 November 1939, Page 5

OFFICIAL OPENING WELLINGTON CENTRE AT LOWER HUTT

The Wellington Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association will officially open -ne season on the Recreation Ground on Monday next at 8 p.m. In aauition to the officials of the centre, ihe Hon.' Walter Nash and Mr. J. W. Andrews have been invited to attend. This meeting of the centre will be the first athletic meeting held under modern and up-to-date floodlighting cdbditions, and the event will serve to demonstrate the importance of adequate and suic.a.uie facilities in the encouragement of all classes of sport.

The Wellington Centre has, in the last year <)r two, been, considerably strengthened by the linking up with city clubs of Mr. Quinn, who formerly resided in Gisborne, and who competed in, the Empire Games, and also Mr. Pat Booth, whose fame as an athlete is now world wide. 'Athletic .officials in Wellington showed considerable courage and enterprise when they secured the services of the American coach, Mr. Fitch. Not only did local athletes benefit but those other associations who availed themselves of his services. The work of Mr. Fitch in training the individual members of clubs, and in giving instructions at colleges and schools, is one of which immediate results were never anticipated. It is now, however, noticeable, and we can look l 'or some of our local runners improving the records achieved in former years. i

Much of the local talent offering, including those whose reputation is well known to the public, will be appearing at this meeting. There will also be large entries from Petone and Lower Hutt and a good field of cyclists. The Masterton Centre intends to be represented, and invitations have been extended to Otaki and Palmerston North.

At this meeting the public will again have the opportunity of seeing the girls' teams trained by Mr. Cato, of the Y.M.C.A.. The team work of these girls in the Labour Day display was highly commented upon and greatly adriiired, and the public should not lose this opportunity of again witnessing the girls in the various events in which thsy will compete. Every endeavour is being made to ensure a successful meeting by providing an excellent programme of varied attractive events, and the public should not miss this opportuntiy of seeing one of the largest assemblages of athletes and of supporting the local club in its efforts.